Praise #1 - God used my leaders in Nigeria to tell me to come back to Texas for rest and medical check ups. Within one week of arriving in Texas, my right lung collapsed! A chest tube was placed, to help reinflate the lung, and I spent two nights in the hospital. If my lung would have collapsed in Nigeria, it could have been extremely serious. Since the medical care in Nigeria is not up to speed, I would've needed to be medically evacuated. But, flying is dangerous when you have lung issues, because of the altitude problems. So, I may have had to have a chest tube placed by a med-evac team and flown on a special 'medical plane.' Also, the insurance company could have insisted that I be sent to London or to South Africa for medical care - which they have been known to do in past missionary evacuations - since those places are closer than the States. Whenever I feel down, I remember back to how God rescued me and brought me home to my parents and to great medical care here in Texas, just 15 min from my parents house.
Praise #2 - After spending those 2 nights in the hospital, I was taking it easy. A couple weeks later I was finally feeling 'normal' and was able to get out of the house. I was super excited about a trip to Houston on Memorial Day weekend to visit the Anthis and Rothchild families - dear friends who spent time in Nigeria. But on Thursday I started feeling weird and that something was not right. (When my lung collapsed a couple weeks prior, I just had some pain and a little difficulty breathing - but nothing major. So I was not sure what to expect as far as symptoms went - but the doctor told me that it was possible that my lung would collapse again.) When I woke up on Friday and had pain in my lung and decreased energy, I called the clinic and went in for a chest x ray and to see the doctor. I almost did not make the call, because I really wanted to go to Houston. But then I realized that would be pretty selfish and quite a hassle to get to Houston and not be able to breathe. When the doctor showed me my xray, I could see immediately that my lung had collapsed again and I just started crying. The last chest tube was so painful and I also knew that now I was going to need to have surgery. It was overwhelming and I just cried for God to help me. The nurses and doctors remembered my painful experience from the last chest tube, so they gave me a lot more pain medicine, which was a huge blessing. Praise God that I was not stubborn and that I went in to see the doctor that morning. Cindy Anthis and one of her daughters actually drove from Houston to see me the next day. She thanked me for 'keeping my drama local.' :)
Praise #3 - I had to wait a few days for my lung to inflate before I could have surgery. From day one of being in the hospital, I was so encouraged by the people who took the time to come and visit me and send me flowers. Now that I have been blessed in these ways, I know how much a bouquet of flowers or a bedside prayer lifts up the heart. People came in from out of town and a couple precious ladies came from Rockwall and sat with my mom when I was in the recovery room. My family and I were just amazed by how many people showed love by visiting me during my two week hospital stay. And all the cards in the mail! Postal mail really shows effort and love - so many times in the past I have intended to send a card or note to someone - all the cards I have received have blessed me so much, that I hope it helps me to follow up on those intentions in the future!
Praise #4 - The first night after my surgery, God's presence was so strong in my room. I can only explain it as intense peace and joy - I did not even want to sleep because I did not want to miss out! I'm telling you, I had spontaneous smiles and was just in complete comfort that night.
Praise #5 - All the prayers of the saints. Never before have I felt so carried by prayer as I have these past few weeks. In my weakness, pain, and suffering - God's children have held me up and carried me through their prayers. One of my friends from Nigeria called and told me that all the staff and kids in the ministry fasted and prayed for me for 24 hours. Wow. Major answered prayer was that I had great nursing care and an overall positive experience in the hospital. I did not even want to leave the hospital until the day that the doctor said I could be discharged.
Praise #6 - Today I went to see the surgeon for an xray and to get my stitches removed. Everything looks good. Yeah! I am still having a bit of pain, but the pain meds are helping.
There is so much more to share. So many things the Lord is showing me on this journey. For now, I can say that I know He is good. I know He loves me. I know He loves the children in Nigeria and He is taking care of them. I can trust Him and know that this is all about Him, all for Him and for His glory. May He receive praise and adoration!
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
